Perhaps I have just totally missed something, but it strikes me as odd that Harry has no family other than the Dursleys. What happened to Lily and James' parents? They are never really mentioned, but presumably they wouldn't be especially old when Harry was not even 1. Why would all 4 of them be dead?
My money is on Voldemort having gotten to them too and that's why Petunia seemed so scared when Harry mentioned him. Anyway, what do y'all think?

Welcome to the forums, Glorfindel! I hope you enjoy it here, it's very addictive!

This question of Harry's grandparents is quite interesting... I'm rather surprised that nobody has brought it up yet. The only scene in which they have been mentioned thus far is when Harry noticed their appearances in the Mirror of Erised scene in "Sorcerer's Stone," but the topic has come up in interviews. Here's a quote from the Press Club interview on October 20, 1999:

Thanks, Anthony, for the reference to the interview, and your warm welcome. I don't know that I agree your point about Lily's parents. Muggle killings were mentioned several times in the books. In GoF Mr. Weasley says "Half the muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were done for fun." This of course implies that many were purposeful. If Voldemort was searching for Harry because of the Prophecy, he may have looked for him at his grandparents' homes, it would seem like a logical place to look. He may have killed them then, before he got to Harry.
I had never thought about Mrs. Black, or Mr. Black for that matter, I have no idea what happened to them.

Great observation! Hmm... you interpreted Mr. Weasley's quote in a very interesting way.... I never gave the other half of the Muggle killings much thought before. I would think that the Muggles that were killed with intention probably have some connection with wizards, and Lily's parents would definitely fill the bill (Hermione's too, come to think of it...). It is a possibility that Voldemort thought Lily was hiding in her parents' house, and then when it became obvious that she wasn't there, he just killed the Muggles for fun. You're also correct that this indeed would explain why Petunia fears Voldemort, which she evidently does -- see the scenes in wake of the dementor attack at the beginning of "Order of the Phoenix."

Since I am a person who is slightly obsessed with exact quotes from books and interviews, here is an excerpt from the scene to which I assume we're referring (pg. 37-38, American hardcover):

Could be that Lucius is J Potter's brother, cousin, relative-like person.

Harry's mother's parents- trapped in a hole by V-mort.- why'd you think Petuni was so worried or not worried or whatever you think she was.

What'd you think 'bout this entirely random thing.

I don't think the Malfoys are at all related to the Potters. Why would Dumbledore say Harry had no famliy left if he in fact had family left. Plus I think he would have seen them in the mirror of Erised.

Now my question is, if Harry's grandparent were killed by Voldemort, why hasn't this come up? Wouldn't Dumbledore or Sirius or Lupin or somebody have told Harry? And why hasn't Harry wondered? These questions may point away from my theory but that still leaves the question of why are all 4 dead? Plus, since JKR isn't saying (see Anthony Goldstein's first post) they can't have totally benign or unimportant reasons for their deaths. Anyway, if someone has another theory or more to add to this I'd love to hear it.

Hi glorfindel, velcome!
it's a little wierd that no one has ever come up with the topic before.

What about he's aunts and uncle's on James' side, we never heard of them, did volemort get all of hem?
the mirror in SS showed all he's aunt's and uncles but we dont know who is who?
do we, does any of the books mention any of james family?

Glorinfeld-

While I think your questions are good, I still have to stick to some of my points of views. Also, he wouldnt' see them in the mirror of eres. He wants to see his parents, he doens't need to see Malfoy. I believe he can do without that. Anyways, I'm not saying I'm write at all. By all means, you're probably a lot smarter and righter than I am. I just think it'd be pretty intense if they were related. I also think it'd be intense if V-mort hid away LP's parents to use as a last resort agains Harry. That'd be intense.

Hey, may be it'd be cool if Ron and Harry were related. Or if V-mort and Ron were related.

INTENSE!

Faramir Kenobi, I think it's possible that the Malfoys and Potters are related, though distantly. In Chapter Six of "Order of the Phoenix" (The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black), Sirius explains to Harry that all pure-blood families are related to one another (pg. 113, American hardcover):

I keep thinking about how many times we hear that Lily and James thrice thwarted Voldemort and it makes me wonder if the fate of the grandparents on either side is somehow related to that. Is it possible that the grandparents were killed by the dark side in an attempt to get to the Potters.

I have often wondered why Harry has never asked about his grandparents. I am not surprised he doesn't ask about his mom's parents as it is quite likely that Petunia has told him that they died in some sort of accident or something and Harry has been a bit too pre-occupied to really question that as of yet. I do find it odd that he hasn't gotten more information about his Dad's parents, especially when Sirius brought them up. I thought to myself as I read that part, that Harry would for sure pursue that further, but I think they got interrupted or something and as far as we know, never got back to it.


Anyway, I assume we will hear more about how Lily and James thwarted and resisted Voldemort and along the way, we will probably hear a bit more about happened to his extended family

maybe he'll ask more of them in the future books?
I hope we get to know he's family better.

Well, I don't know what things the potters would have done to thwart Voldie, but I am sure their last confrontation was not one of them ,because the the prophecy said that the parents had already thwarted him "Thrice". I think one thing that happened involves the fate of James's parents or siblings. As for the other two things it may be something as simple as the fact that they were able to escape from him or hide from him long enough to give birth to Harry.

Since it seems the prophecy came before Harry and Neville were born, I would think that Voldie may have even sought out the child while still in utero and kill it then. So the fact that Harry was born and lived a year before his parents were killed shows that they were successful in keeping Voldemort away for awhile.

As far as the Longbottoms are concerned, I think it is entirely possible that Mr Longbottom thwarted Voldemort while working as an Auror, which we know he was. From what I remember in OOtP, Mrs Longbottom was not an auror, but was tortured as a way to get to Mr Longbottom


Not to open a whole new can of worms, but we do not know for certain that Neville was not attacked by either Voldemort or his deatheaters. I have often wondered if Neville's poor memory is not actually the by product of some sort of curse he suffered when his parents were tortured. The fact that Neville's poor memory is mentioned so often makes me think that somehow this is more important to the story than just as a funny tidbit about Neville.

I think in PoA (forgive me, I don't have all my books with me) that Sirius or Lupin says that they knew someone had been keeping Voldemort informed of the Potters' movements. This does suggest that the Potters had been hiding elsewhere before going to Godric's Hollow, possibly at their parents' house. Can anyone confirm this?

Madamepomfrey, I don't think the defiances could have been escaping Voldemort while in hiding because he wasn't looking for them until after the prophecy and they had already defied him thrice. This suggests that they were very active against him, maybe they were aurors like the Longbottoms, although for some reason I doubt this.

I also wonder is James' parents were involved in defying Voldemort. I think we know they weren't in the Order. It does sound like a good theory nonetheless. I suppose the more we wonder the more we find to wonder about.

I'm reading OoTP for the 8th time, and a question is coming up to me

What happened to Harry's grand parents????? I just read the books and I only noticed that James Potter's parents welcomed Sirius when he left his parents' house (we learnt it in OoTP) and that Lily's ones where happy to have a witch... and surprisingly Harry does not look for them. WHY??? Has JKR given indications about Harry's grand parents???

Another hotly contended subject.... As far as I can remember, at least one of Harry's grandparents is dead because they appeared in the Mirror of Erised when Harry looked in to it. As for the others...who knows? I would have thought they would have appeared in the mirror, but I'm sure that JKR knows what sh'es doing and there's a possibility she deliberately didn't mention them for some reason.

Although, if he did have grandparents, I'm sure DD would have placed Harry with them. Unless he felt that Harry needed the bad treatment he gets from the Dursley's to fortify his character or some other twisted reason. But even then, Lily's parents would be Dudley's grandparents too, so they'd visit them both if they were around wouldn't they? And still no mention is ever made of them.

Weird....

I think they died 'cause they were old? ^^

wonder if we'll find out?? JK might throw it in for a book filler

QUOTE (Jara @ Feb 13 2005, 12:31 PM)

I agree with Souljacker here. They didn't die of old age. Possibly because of some disease, but not old age.

I recall J.K Rowling mentioning we'll learn more about Harry's grandparents in the next two books, although it won't be revolutionary to the plot.

*Bertie Bott's to everyone*

We know that at least one set of Hary's grandparents are gone. I am going to assume that it was the Potters because in SS/PS when Harry is looking the Mirror of Erised it stated he was looking at all the Potters. It is just as likely that his Evans grandparents are dead too or else DD would have sent Harry to live with them(at least that's what I believe). Could the death of his Evans grandparents be connected to Lily & James' and this is yet another reason for Petunia's hatred towards her sister?(sorry if that part is off topic)

That’s a really good point Neisha and it would explain why Petunia Hates Lily James and the rest of the magical world with such a passion, If the Petunia's Parents had of been killed as a direct result of the first War.
But its strange that she didn’t mention her parents death during her out burst at the Hut in the middle of the sea, especially if their death was linked to the magical world. Surely this would be top on the list of thing-to-use to have a go at lily.
IMHO I think Petunia had a bit of a crush on James when she was first introduced to him by Lily. This again IMHO added to her general jealously of Lily (from all the attention she was getting from their parents) and the magical world she belonged to. But I’m going to stop there because I’m going way off topic. I've written a bit more here if anyone’s interested.

But basically to conclude I think if all these different factors had of lead to Petunia having an envious dislike of the magical world, then if her parents being murdered by an evil Witch/Wizard, would have turn her dislike to venomous disgust (which she has shown about the magical world right up to the Howler she received in book 5).

This could be true, but that still leaves that nagging question. What happened to Lely and Petunia's parents (Harry's grandparents)?

First off, watch your tone, else I'll be all over you like the worst case of poison ivy you've ever had.

Secondly, read the rules - triple post again and you'll going to get an official warning.

I've deleted your first two pronouncements.

So I think we can assume that:

• All grand parents are dead
  
• The Evan's died of non magic reasons -- other wise Auntie would have complained)
  
• At least one of the Potter's died of some nasty occurance -- because otherwise being wizzards they'll still be alive and kicking.
  
• Harry will ask about them more likely in book 6 than in 7 -- as it will be a stocking filler story line

In all that doesn't leave much to the imagination.

Probably Voldemort found the Potter's whilst trying to locate their son and daughter in law and everything else we already know.

i agree with dana_scully..
harry saw them in mirror of erised. so they might be died...
but why didn't harry ask to dumbledore or search them?

-------------

HARRY WILL HOOK UP WITH LUNA

So, this is all extremely interesting. To start off I don't think that the Blacks and the Potters were realated because if they were, they would have been on the Black family tree (or blown off it at least). And I dont remember, but were the Longbottoms on that thing as well? Because if they weren't then it proves that though MOST pure blood families are connected, not all of them are. Plus, I honestly DON'T think that Dumbledore would keep knowledge about other relatives from Harry. I mean, DD was going on about the guilt that was plauging him when he didn't tell Harry about the prophecy so wouldn't hiding Harry's relatives be along the same lines of deception? Plus being told that you were related to some wizards that you didn't like really pales in comparision to the news that you have to kill the most powerful dark wizard ever or be killed yourself.
Secondly, I think that it was imperitive for Harry to live with the Dursley's because, though both James and Lilly died in attempt to save Harry, Lilly was the one who had begged for Harry's life and so HER "blood" would protect Harry. I mean DD said something to the affect that Harry's mother died because she loved him and Voldemort didn't understand love so therefor he couldn't touch Harry in PS.
Thirdly, I got the impression that James was an only child because when Sirius was talking about staying over at the Potters house when he moved out of Grimmauld Place, he never mentioned any sibblings that James had. And that would be unusual because if Sirius spent so much time at the Potters you'd think that chiling out with James' sibblings would be a must (I mean look how much Harry knows about all the Weasley kids)
Fourthly, was "thwart" the word used in the prophecy? Because if it was, it could mean a variety of things. It could be actually facing Voldie and escaping or it could mean ruining one of his plans or interfering with one of his death-eaters. However, I believe that they said "faced" or something but don't quote me on that. I'm just too lazy to go pick up my book
Finally, I agree with you when yoiu say that Voldemort may have gotten to the Evan's and Potter families. It does make sense that the fear in Petunia's contenace is caused by her personal experiences with his eliminating her family. Of course it could just be because he killed her sister.
Anyway I hope that JK will expand on this whole idea becuase now I'm all interested and want answers!

Jo said that we'll know a little bit more about Harry's grandparents in the future books, but not so much, since they're not so important in the story.

I think Harry's grandparents died naturally (although prematurely). They will be featured showing how receptive they are to Lily.

Just a thought but Patunia new about the dementors in book 5 so maybe her parents had there solls suced out or something during the first war that would expliain how she knew about them. That could also be what the howler was on about at the bigining of book 5.
what do you think

exalent i think that petunia new about the dementors for that reason and thats why she hates lily so much because it was her fault they where on voldmorts side and kissed the grandparents looking for lily and james

It is entirely possible that James's parents are still living (or at least one of them). Lily's parents are probably dead because Dumbledore specifically said that the charm that Lily placed on Harry would only work (protect him from Voldemort) if he was living with his mother's relation. So, in that case, he may just not know of his father's relation, or their wherabouts. Another thing though-wouldn't Sirius know? I would think if he was that close to James he would know where Harry's grandparents were.

I believe they are already dead. I think if they are still living, Dumbledore will not say that the Dursleys are the only relative Harry has.

Unfortuantly - Sorry to spoil your guessing, but JK revealed that both Lillys and James' parents are both dead.

Why Harry don't visit his grandparents and parents in graveyard???

I think we find out a lote more when he goes to godrics hollow on the next book . I would say though that at least Jame's parents were probably murdered by LV and co . I would highly doubt that all 4 would die from old age/disease . I could see DD not wanting to add more pain to Harry by telling him his grandparent were also murdered by LV .

May be in next book we'll find answere...

i really think that harry is the last potter, because if he had grandparents that were alive, den he wouldnt have to stay wit da dursleys.

yes.. i think we have pretty much concluded up this thread taht his grandparents are dead, because dumbledore dropped him off to his only family left, which was the dursleys...

but the question now is

How did they die?

JKR answered this one in the Mugglenet/Leaky interview.

I think James' parents were almost definetely killed by dark pure-blood wizards...

1). They took in Sirius, who the Black family obviously hated and are dark and powerfull enough to do something about.

2). Their sun married a muggle-born.

3). They were probably assumed to know where the Potters were hiding and wouldnt/couldnt tell.

I think they were killed for 1 or more of these reasons.

I think that those are pretty good theories. I think number three is the most likely though: they were probbably tortured because they didn't say anything, but it's pretty unlikely that James wouldn't have protection for his parents. I would have thought that he would have taken them to live with him at his hiding place.
Maybe they didn't talked much after he got married. why didn't he made them their secret keeper? Why DD instead of his own parents?

[FONT=Arial]The question is hard. They could be lurking with people unknown about their whereabouts. The the grandparents would probally want fame and mony so they would probally be known. A set of grandparents could have dies when James or Lilly were young. Possibly a car I mean broom accident lol.[/FONT]

maybe they are unaware that they have a grandson!!! otherwise he would have been in contact!! or maybe the dursleys were ashamed of Harry and prentended that he died with his parents!

I just read somewhere something about Harry's grandparents on both sides. It seems, if I can recall it correctly, that JKR said that she had to make Harry completely alone, except for Petunia, for the story to work. So she had all of his grandparents already dead. The Evans died natural muggle deaths, and the Potters, she explained, where older-in-life when they had James (who was thier only child), and so they too died of natural causes. There are no aunts and uncles save Petunia. Not too romantic, or exciting. . .I'll have to try to find where I read that bit. It was so recent that it's now going to drive me crazy. I'll post up the source when I find it.

passer

EDIT: Okay, it's from TLC interview: and both his parents were quite elderly (even by wizarding standards) and both died of a wizarding illness. "there is 'nothing' sinister about their deaths."

Welll according to the Black Family Tree ( here) Dorea Potter died in 1977. Women usually have a longer life expentancy then men so I'm willing to say Charlus Potter probably died too. Dorea was only 57 though so it leaves speculation that her death wasnt natural.

I've just always assumed that they died before Harry was born. Because, if they were still alive after Harry was born, James and Lily probably would have told their parents that they were in danger and maybe given Harry to one of them for safekeeping. And even if James and Lily didn't tell their parents, when they died, why didn't Harry get sent to one of them? So I think they died of old age or natural causes before Harry was born.

I hope that makes sense. It makes sense in my head, haha.

Anjali